23.02.2025 18:20
As snowfall and freezing temperatures continue to negatively impact life across the country, statements have been made one after another from the governorships. Schools have been closed in some districts of Rize, Ordu, Bartın, Zonguldak, Giresun, Samsun, Sinop, Trabzon, and Kastamonu due to adverse weather conditions.
The intense snowfall and cold wave that continue to affect Turkey negatively impact daily life. Due to transportation disruptions and security concerns in some provinces, students and parents are looking to the authorities for a break in education. Following the warnings from the General Directorate of Meteorology, education has been suspended in some provinces and districts due to increasing snowfall, icing, and frost events. Here are the provinces where schools were closed on February 24:
RİZE
The Rize Governorship emphasized that intense snowfall and cold weather conditions continue throughout the province. It was reported that education was suspended for 1 day in all educational institutions on Monday, February 24, considering the safety of students and citizens against potential icing and transportation issues. It was also noted that public employees with disabilities, mothers with children under 8 years old, and pregnant personnel would be considered on administrative leave. Caution and preventive measures were requested against avalanche risks on steep slopes with high snow cover.
Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş stated in a social media post that they prioritize the safety of students above all, considering the intense snowfall and cold weather conditions. He mentioned that they have suspended education for 1 day in schools, saying, "Do not see this process merely as a holiday. Remember, school buildings are not just made of stone walls. They gain their true meaning with students and teachers. They remain incomplete when you are not there. Let’s continue to get lost between the pages of books while sipping a warm Rize tea. Also, we look forward to your shares of scenes with snow, tea, and books."
ORDU
In a statement from the Ordu Governorship, it was noted that intense snowfall, frost, and icing are expected to continue based on meteorological data. It was reported that education and training would be suspended tomorrow in all official, private formal, and non-formal educational institutions across the province. It was also recorded that mothers with children aged 0-6, except for those working in public institutions in security, health, and snow removal units, would be considered on administrative leave.
BARTIN
The Bartın Governorship announced that all schools in the province would be closed tomorrow due to the effective snowfall in the city. The statement said, "According to meteorological data, due to the heavy snowfall and icing affecting our province, education and training in all private and official educational institutions across the province will be suspended for 1 day on Monday, February 24. Disabled and pregnant personnel working in public institutions, as well as female personnel with children attending daycare and kindergarten, will also be on administrative leave for 1 day on February 24."
ZONGULDAK
The Zonguldak Governorship announced that education would be suspended for 1 day across the province due to intense snowfall and icing risks. According to the statement from the governorship, all formal and non-formal educational institutions, daycare centers, child clubs, and rehabilitation centers will be closed on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Additionally, in-service training and e-exams planned across the province have also been postponed. The governorship's statement also provided information about the situation of female personnel with children attending daycare and kindergarten. The status of mothers working in health, security, and 24-hour service units will be evaluated by the relevant units according to the service requirements. Furthermore, it was stated that disabled, pregnant, and injured public employees would be considered on administrative leave.
GİRESUN
Due to the ongoing snowfall in Giresun, education and training will be suspended for 1 day tomorrow. In a statement from the Giresun Governorship, it was noted that due to the ongoing heavy snowfall and potential frost and icing, education and training would be suspended for 1 day in kindergartens, daycare centers, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, public education courses, Quran courses, daycare centers, rehabilitation centers, and private courses.
SİNOP
Education will be suspended for 1 day on Monday, February 24, across Sinop. In a statement from the Sinop Governorship, it was stated, "According to the warnings from the Meteorology 10th Regional Directorate, as a preventive measure against potential negative impacts due to the heavy snowfall that will continue in our province, education and training will be suspended for 1 day on Monday, February 24, 2025, in all official/private, formal and non-formal educational institutions affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of National Education, in rehabilitation centers, in daycare centers affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, and in Quran courses for ages 4-6 affiliated with the Provincial Mufti's Office. Additionally, pregnant, disabled, injured, and public employees with children under 10 years old, except for those working in security and health units, will be considered on administrative leave on Monday, February 24, 2025."
SAMSUN
Education has been suspended for 1 day in Samsun due to snowfall across the province. In a statement, Samsun Governor Osman Tavlı said, "Dear citizens of Samsun, beloved students, esteemed teachers, and parents, according to the warnings from the Meteorology 10th Regional Directorate, due to the heavy snowfall that will continue in our province, it is assessed that negative impacts such as transportation disruptions due to icing and frost may occur, therefore, as a precaution, education and training will be suspended for 1 day on Monday, February 24, 2025, in all official/private, formal and non-formal educational institutions affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of National Education, in rehabilitation centers, in daycare centers affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, and in need-based daytime and Quran courses for ages 4-6 affiliated with the Mufti's Office. Public employees who are pregnant, disabled, or have children attending daycare or kindergarten will also be considered on administrative leave for 1 day."
TRABZON
In Trabzon, education will be suspended for 1 day due to adverse weather conditions. In a statement from the Trabzon Governorship, it was noted that due to the ongoing heavy snowfall and icing risk, education and training would be suspended for 1 day in all educational institutions across the province on February 24. It was also recorded that disabled and pregnant personnel working in public institutions would be considered on administrative leave.
KASTAMONU
In Kastamonu, education will be suspended for 1 day in 11 districts due to snowfall. Due to adverse weather conditions, schools will be closed on Monday, February 24, in Abana, Araç, Bozkurt, Çatalzeytin, Devrekani, Doğanyurt, İhsangazi, İnebolu, Küre, the central district, and Pınarbaşı district. It was also decided that disabled and pregnant personnel would be considered on administrative leave on the same day. In a written statement from the Kastamonu Governorship, it was stated, "Due to icing caused by heavy snowfall and severe cold, education and training will be suspended for 1 day in the center of our province (in the central district) on Monday, February 24, 2025."
Employees with disabilities and pregnant women in public institutions will also be considered on administrative leave. It was stated that this decision does not cover universities and nurseries affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
ARE SCHOOLS CLOSED TOMORROW IN ISTANBUL?
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, in a statement regarding the issue, said, "The decision about the holiday is not entirely up to my will or a very arbitrary situation. If the weather is bad, it will happen, but if the weather is good, there is no need for a holiday. Our children must have missed their teachers, and they will go to school with that excitement. But as far as we can see, according to the meteorological forecasts, the weather will be nice on Monday. Hopefully, starting from Monday, we will enjoy school again."
Source: AA, IHA, DHA